Barcelona bid for Karim Adeyemi deals double blow to Man United
Barcelona have tabled an official bid for Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi, who reportedly wants Camp Nou as his only summer destination — a move that would deny Manchester United a long-tracked target and further reduce Barcelona's appetite for Marcus Rashford.
Key Takeaways
- Fabrizio Romano confirmed Barcelona submitted an official bid for Karim Adeyemi, first reported by Gerard Romero, with club-to-club talks ongoing.
- Adeyemi, 24, is said to want Barcelona exclusively this summer, despite interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and PSG.
- Dortmund are open to selling for roughly €65 million (£55m), while Yahoo Sports reports Barcelona are very close to sealing a permanent deal.
- The pursuit strengthens Barcelona's attack after signing Anthony Gordon and may end any renewed loan interest in Marcus Rashford.
- Manchester United face a double setback: losing a priority winger target and a potential exit route for Rashford.
What has Barcelona offered for Karim Adeyemi?
According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, cited by The Peoples Person, Barcelona have made an official approach to Borussia Dortmund for Karim Adeyemi. Gerard Romero first reported the bid before Romano confirmed negotiations are underway between the clubs.
Barcelona are not waiting quietly. Yahoo Sports reports the Blaugrana sporting department has worked meticulously behind the scenes and is very close to completing a permanent signing that could be announced in the coming days.
Dortmund are understood to be willing to sell the Munich-born Germany international for a fee in the region of €65 million (£55m). German outlets BILD and Kicker initially valued him above €50 million, though Yahoo Sports suggests the asking price could fall by around €10 million as Dortmund urgently need sales to finance coach Ole Book's plans.
Why does Karim Adeyemi only want Barcelona?
The winger is understood to view Barcelona as his sole destination this summer, a preference Romano highlighted in his breaking update on July 8. That stance is a crushing blow to Manchester United, who have tracked Adeyemi for months as INEOS search for fresh wide options.
Yahoo Sports adds two factors working in Barcelona's favour: Adeyemi has only one year left on his Dortmund contract, and he is pushing hard to force an exit — a desire he reportedly expressed last summer as well.
Transfermarkt notes Hansi Flick previously wanted to bring Adeyemi to Bayern Munich in 2022 before Dortmund won the race. The 24-year-old can operate on both flanks or through the middle, offering pace that ranks among the fastest recorded in Bundesliga history at 36.65 km/h.
How does this deal hurt Manchester United twice?
Manchester United's first loss is straightforward. Adeyemi has been a long-term INEOS target capable of playing on either wing or centrally, yet Barcelona have struck first in a race that also includes Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
The second blow concerns Marcus Rashford. The England forward spent last season on loan at Barcelona, who declined a £26 million buy-option and instead sought a cheaper permanent deal or another loan. United rejected that and hoped to find a new buyer.
With Barcelona having already signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and now pushing for Adeyemi, The Peoples Person reports the Catalan club may not even want Rashford on loan. For United, that narrows an already difficult market for a high-wage forward reliant on pace.
What are the risks for Barcelona?
Transfermarkt values Adeyemi at €40 million and flags injury troubles and inconsistency during his Dortmund career. His role diminished under Niko Kovac in the second half of last season, and he missed the World Cup as a result.
When fit and firing, however, he remains a direct threat. He returned 10 goals and five assists last season for Dortmund, and Barcelona believe Hansi Flick's system could unlock his potential. Whether Dortmund accept the bid — and on what terms — is the remaining hurdle.
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